Cromford (Black Rocks) - Middleton Top - Black Rocks

Paul John Bridgett

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Cromford (Black Rocks) - Middleton Top - Kirk Ireton - Black Rocks

A quite demanding walk with a reward for real ale fans and offering many areas of interest along the route, begins with a section of trail-walking along the High Peak Trail, climbing the incline to Middleton Top winching-house at the top of the incline. The steam beam engine is still in place, restored and available for tours. The pulley system is also still in place at the winding station and at the bottom of the incline.
Much of the route is along field-paths, though some road-walking is required with the section of trail-walking to start. A few sections of not too steep climbs are required.

The pub used in the middle of this walk is the Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton, a former coaching inn, little updated and still serving beer direct from the barrel (no pumps). They usually offer at least five choice real ales and a cider from the barrel. Opening daily during lunchtimes and evenings, they do not offer cooked food, but the rolls are good-value and substantial. This is a popular pub and can be busy. There are several benches in the grassed area in front of the pub and few more beside the wall in front of the door.

The railway line crossed at Waymark 33 is now in use by a Railway Trust. Extra care should now be used when crossing the lines.

The return requires map checking in some areas as the path is not well-marked, but is passable in most sections.

NOTE FROM WALKINGWORLD: this walk is a rewarding one, completely on public rights of way, but it does require careful navigation as several paths can be easily missed. Please take ALL available navigational aids with you. You will need the photos, the Walkingworld map and the large-scale map (Explorer OL 24, White Peak Area, not provided by Walkingworld) and a compass or GPS if you have one, as well as the written instructions.

England - Central England - Derbyshire - Countryside

Features

Birds, Flowers, Gift Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Nature Trail, Pub, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

10/29/2017 - David Williams

A good walk, but energy sapping. It was a bit muddy in places, but only to be expected in October. The directions were good. We used the new phone app, which worked perfectly and had no significant navigation problems. The car park is now Pay and Display and costs £4.40 for the day (no longer an honesty box).

8/30/2011 - Walkingworld Administrator

Our thanks to Paul John Bridgett for his update for this walk. August 2011. Adrian (Admin)

3/16/2010 - Paul Taylor

Completed this walk as a pre walk for The Loughborough Ramblers. Enjoyed the walk very much. The pub in it is fantastic, it's like walking into a time warp. Hope the ramblers enjoy it as much later on in the year. Thanks

4/22/2007 - Michael IAnson

Update: I did the walk again today with 18 Hinckley Ramblers and everyone enjoyed it. The final climb was a bit of an effort for most of us but the views were worth it, and as predicted, the Barley Mow was a big hit. Please pass on our thanks to Paul.

3/26/2007 - Walkingworld Administrator

This walk was updated March 2007.

3/25/2007 - Michael IAnson

I did this walk today in preparation for when I lead a group of Ramblers from Hinckley, Leics around it on 22 April. I enjoyed it tremendously and thanks to the extremely detailed directions I didn't get lost once. A couple of small things to update would be: the 'concrete block building' described at point 2. has now been demolished and I think that the 'thin hedge' at point 8. has now been removed. It was quite a demanding walk but I was lucky enough to enjoy good weather and I'm looking forward to doing it again next month. The Ramblers will certainly enjoy the real ale served at the Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton!